Disclose GIFT Act

The bill would mandate that eligible institutions (primarily large research universities receiving significant federal funding) establish a policy requiring covered individuals to disclose any gifts from foreign sources valued over a minimal threshold and any contracts with foreign sources valued at $5,000 or more. Institutions would need to create a publicly searchable database displaying these disclosures, excluding personally identifiable information, and maintain the records for at least five years. The bill would introduce strict enforcement mechanisms, including potential investigations by the Secretary of Education and civil actions by the Attorney General, with escalating financial penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the bill would mandate the creation of compliance officers and direct the Government Accountability Office to study and report on implementation strategies. If enacted, this legislation would increase transparency regarding foreign funding relationships at American universities and could affect how academic institutions manage international partnerships and research collaborations.